Police officers have arrested two men suspected of a knifepoint hijacking - just minutes after officers were waved down by the alleged victim.

PSNI personnel on patrol in South Belfast moved in after a motorist was allegedly forced from his vehicle early on Wednesday morning.

It is understood the pair were found by police in the vehicle belonging to the person who waved them down.

Detective Sergeant Keith Wilson said the officers were in the area responding to an earlier incident.

He added: “Just after 7.40am this morning, Police responded to a 999 telephone call from a motorist, reporting that as he parked his vehicle on University Street, two males, one armed with a small knife, approached and ordered him from his vehicle.

“Thankfully, another member of the public shouted at the males, who subsequently ran off in the direction of the Ormeau Road.

“A short time later at 8.15am, police who were involved in the response to this first incident, were waved down by a member of the public near Stranmillis embankment, who had just been forced from his vehicle by two males at knifepoint.

“Police quickly intervened and arrested a 27 year old man and a 30 year old man on suspicion of a number of offences including hijacking, attempted hijacking, robbery and driving whilst unfit, before they could escape in the vehicle.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed either of these incidents this morning, or who may have seen two males acting suspiciously in the University Street or Lower Ormeau Road area between 7am and 8.15am today to contact police at Musgrave Station on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference number 204 of 19 October 2016.”

Any witnesses can also call police anonymously on Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.